Staff in bands 2-9 who are not at the top of their bands will receive increases of 9.7%-27.7% over the three years as pay points are reduced.

Those at the top of bands 2-8c will receive a total increase of 9% over three years.

Staff at the top of band 8d will receive an increase of 5.7%

Those at the top of band 9 will receive 4.7% over the three years – equating to £1,600 every year.

Ringing endorsement

UNISON Scotland head of health Matt McLaughlin said: ‘This is a good result for UNISON members and I am happy that, across Scotland, we engaged with the vast majority of our members. Their decision is a ringing endorsement of the offer.’

Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Scotland lead negotiator Emma Currer said the deal means Scottish staff ‘can finally begin to recoup the losses they incurred after years of pay freezes, pay stagnation and uplifts well below inflation’.

Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman said: ‘I’m delighted NHS agenda for change staff have voted to accept our offer of a pay rise of at least 9% over the next three years.

‘This pay rise can help recruitment and retention and ensure that our NHS remains an attractive employment option for many.’

The Scottish government said that, by 2020-21, a ward nurse at the top of band 5 will earn £1,030 more than a colleague in England and an advanced nurse practitioner at the top of Band 7 will earn around £1,500 more than a compatriot in England.

The RCN in England has come under intense scrutiny for the handling of its deal, with chief executive Janet Davies issuing an extraordinary apology.